Where Is theShrekCast Now? See What the Original Voice Actors Have Been Up to Since They Left the Swamp (Plus Who’s Returning forShrek 5!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Mike Myers attends New York Magazine’s Vulture Festival on November 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California ; Eddie Murphy attends the World Premiere of “Candy Cane Lane” on November 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Monica Schipper/Getty ; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Monica Schipper/Getty ; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Most fairytales avoid swamps, banished creatures and potty humor — butShrekisn’t your typical fairytale.Released in 2001, the animated parody film follows an anti-social ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers) who’s keen to spend his days relishing the peace and quiet of his beloved swamp. But when the petite Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) exiles fairytale creatures from his castle, they set up camp in Shrek’s backyard.The only way to rid his home of dwarfs and unicorns? Rescue the lord’s betrothed princess from a fire-breathing dragon.Shrekwas an instant classic that spawned three sequels (Shrek 2,Shrek the ThirdandShrek Forever After) and two spinoff films (Puss in BootsandPuss in Boots: The Last Wish). In 2024,Eddie Murphy— the voice behind the insatiably chatty Donkey — teased toColliderthatShrek 5was in the works.Shortly after, Universal Picturesconfirmed the newsand in February 2025 they shared acast announcement videothat featured old favorites like Myers, Murphy andCameron Diaz, who plays Princess Fiona, and a new voice:Zendaya.TheDuneactress will join the franchise as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter, Felicia, inShrek 5, which will hit theaters on Dec. 23, 2026.But everyone’s favorite fairytale parody would be nothing without the OG cast of A-listers who first brought those fairytale creatures to life. Here’s everything to know about the original cast ofShrekand where they are now.

Most fairytales avoid swamps, banished creatures and potty humor — butShrekisn’t your typical fairytale.

Released in 2001, the animated parody film follows an anti-social ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers) who’s keen to spend his days relishing the peace and quiet of his beloved swamp. But when the petite Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) exiles fairytale creatures from his castle, they set up camp in Shrek’s backyard.

The only way to rid his home of dwarfs and unicorns? Rescue the lord’s betrothed princess from a fire-breathing dragon.

Shrekwas an instant classic that spawned three sequels (Shrek 2,Shrek the ThirdandShrek Forever After) and two spinoff films (Puss in BootsandPuss in Boots: The Last Wish). In 2024,Eddie Murphy— the voice behind the insatiably chatty Donkey — teased toColliderthatShrek 5was in the works.

Shortly after, Universal Picturesconfirmed the newsand in February 2025 they shared acast announcement videothat featured old favorites like Myers, Murphy andCameron Diaz, who plays Princess Fiona, and a new voice:Zendaya.

TheDuneactress will join the franchise as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter, Felicia, inShrek 5, which will hit theaters on Dec. 23, 2026.

But everyone’s favorite fairytale parody would be nothing without the OG cast of A-listers who first brought those fairytale creatures to life. Here’s everything to know about the original cast ofShrekand where they are now.

01of 09

Mike Myers as Shrek

Myers secured widespread acclaim in 1997 when he debuted as the eponymous spy in the firstAustin Powersmovie. He reprised the cult classic character in two sequels in 1999 and 2002.

In the latter half of the aughts, Myers starred inThe Love Guruand as a minor character in the Oscar-winning dramaInglourious Basterds.After the fourth installment,Shrek Forever After,premiered in 2010, Myers proceeded to take an eight-year-long break from the big screen. He came back in 2018 with appearances inTerminalandBohemian Rhapsody.

Two years before the fifthShrekmovie was confirmed in 2024, Myers toldGQhe was keen torevive the beloved character.

“I loved playing Shrek,” he told the outlet in May 2022. “If I had to do one Shrek a year, I’d be thrilled.”

Myers and his wife,Kelly Tisdale, have three children.

02of 09

Eddie Murphy as Donkey

AnotherShrekstar who got his start onSaturday Night Live, Murphy was a well-established star prior to voicing the ogre’s energetic sidekick, Donkey. The longtime funnyman is known for his roles in theBeverly Hills Copmovies, the 1983 comedyTrading Placesand his late-’90s classicsThe Nutty ProfessorandDr. Dolittle.

In the 2000s, Murphy voiced Donkey in all four of the Dreamworks animated films but went on to pursue more dramatic roles. He gave award-winning performances as soul singer James “Thunder” Early in 2006’sDreamgirlsand as the titular character in 2016’sMr. Church.

Thefather of 10marriedPaige Butcherin 2024.

03of 09Cameron Diaz as Princess FionaCameron Diaz joins MPTF to celebrate Health and Fitness at The Wasserman Campus on June 10, 2016; Shrek 2.JB Lacroix/WireImage, Dreamworks/courtesy Everett CollectionWhen Diaz signed on to voice Princess Fiona, she was known for her comedic roles inMy Best Friend’s Wedding,There’s Something About MaryandThe Mask, among others. She’d also established herself in the drama genre thanks to appearances inAny Given SundayandBeing John Malkovich.During and after the fourShrekfilms, Diaz furthered her comedy career with films likeThe Holiday,What Happens in VegasandWhat to Expect When You’re Expecting.She’s alsopublished two health-focused books—The Body BookandThe Longevity Book —which hit shelves in 2013 and 2016, respectively.Diaz married Good Charlotte rockerBenji Maddenin January 2015, with whom she sharestwo kids.

03of 09

Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona

Cameron Diaz joins MPTF to celebrate Health and Fitness at The Wasserman Campus on June 10, 2016; Shrek 2.JB Lacroix/WireImage, Dreamworks/courtesy Everett Collection

When Diaz signed on to voice Princess Fiona, she was known for her comedic roles inMy Best Friend’s Wedding,There’s Something About MaryandThe Mask, among others. She’d also established herself in the drama genre thanks to appearances inAny Given SundayandBeing John Malkovich.

During and after the fourShrekfilms, Diaz furthered her comedy career with films likeThe Holiday,What Happens in VegasandWhat to Expect When You’re Expecting.

She’s alsopublished two health-focused books—The Body BookandThe Longevity Book —which hit shelves in 2013 and 2016, respectively.

Diaz married Good Charlotte rockerBenji Maddenin January 2015, with whom she sharestwo kids.

04of 09Antonio Banderas as Puss in BootsAntonio Banderas poses on the red carpet of the RNE Sant Jordi Cinematography Awards 2022 on April 26, 2022; Shrek 3.Xavi Torrent/Getty, DREAMWORKS/Ronald Grant Archive/Mary Evans/Courtesy Everett CollectionSpanish actorAntonio Banderaskicked off his Hollywood career a few years before he provided the voice for the slick, sword-wielding feline in footwear who first appears inShrek 2.Throughout the ’90s, Banderas could be seen in major productions likePhilidelphiaandInterview with a Vampireand as another swordsman (albeit a human one) inThe Mask of Zorro.Since debuting in the role of Puss in Boots, Banderas has reprised Zorro, played a ballroom dancing instructor in 2006’sTake the Leadand earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He played Vincent inLife Itself, starred in the Spanish dramaPain and Gloryand costarred withMeryl StreepandGary OldmaninThe Laundromat,Steven Soderbergh’s 2019 Netflix film.In 2011, Banderas’Shrekcharacter got his own starring moment in aprequel, which was named after the swashbuckling cat withSalma Hayekvoicing his furry love interest, Kitty Softpaws. The spinoff’s sequel,Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, premiered in 2022 and was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award.The actor hasone daughterwith ex-wifeMelanie Griffithand has been dating his girlfriendNicole Kimpelsince 2014.

04of 09

Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots

Antonio Banderas poses on the red carpet of the RNE Sant Jordi Cinematography Awards 2022 on April 26, 2022; Shrek 3.Xavi Torrent/Getty, DREAMWORKS/Ronald Grant Archive/Mary Evans/Courtesy Everett Collection

Spanish actorAntonio Banderaskicked off his Hollywood career a few years before he provided the voice for the slick, sword-wielding feline in footwear who first appears inShrek 2.

Throughout the ’90s, Banderas could be seen in major productions likePhilidelphiaandInterview with a Vampireand as another swordsman (albeit a human one) inThe Mask of Zorro.

Since debuting in the role of Puss in Boots, Banderas has reprised Zorro, played a ballroom dancing instructor in 2006’sTake the Leadand earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He played Vincent inLife Itself, starred in the Spanish dramaPain and Gloryand costarred withMeryl StreepandGary OldmaninThe Laundromat,Steven Soderbergh’s 2019 Netflix film.

In 2011, Banderas’Shrekcharacter got his own starring moment in aprequel, which was named after the swashbuckling cat withSalma Hayekvoicing his furry love interest, Kitty Softpaws. The spinoff’s sequel,Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, premiered in 2022 and was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award.

The actor hasone daughterwith ex-wifeMelanie Griffithand has been dating his girlfriendNicole Kimpelsince 2014.

05of 09John Lithgow as Lord FarquaadJohn Lithgow attends FX’s “The Old Man” Season 1 LA Tastemaker Event at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on June 08, 2022; Shrek.Tommaso Boddi/Getty, DreamWorks/courtesy EverettThe actor behind the arrogant Lord Farquaad boasts an impressive career that began decades beforeShrekcame out in 2001.Lithgow got his start on the stage in the ’70s, earning a Tony Award for his Broadway debut inThe Changing Room. The following decade, he made a splash on the big screen withThe World According to Garp,Terms of EndearmentandFootloose, among other major films.On television, Lithgow played Dick Soloman on3rd Rock from the Sunfrom 1996 to 2001 and nabbed a total of three Emmys for his starring performance.Lithgow only appeared as Shrek’s nemesis in the first film of the franchise (his character meets his unsavory end at the mouth of a dragon), but his career continued to flourish post-Farquaad. He returned to the stage for a 2002 theatrical adaptation ofSweet Smell of Success, winning another Tony and a place in the American Theater Hall of Fame.In film, Lithgow went on to appear in features like the biopicKinsey, the 2014 space dramaInterstellar,Miss SloaneandTommy Lee Jones’The Homesman. Back on the small screen, Lithgow took home an Emmy for his role inDexterin 2009 and his portrayal ofWinston Churchillin season 1 ofThe Crown.The actor has two children with his wife of four decades,Mary Yeager, and one son with his ex-wife, Jean Taynton.

05of 09

John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad

John Lithgow attends FX’s “The Old Man” Season 1 LA Tastemaker Event at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on June 08, 2022; Shrek.Tommaso Boddi/Getty, DreamWorks/courtesy Everett

The actor behind the arrogant Lord Farquaad boasts an impressive career that began decades beforeShrekcame out in 2001.

Lithgow got his start on the stage in the ’70s, earning a Tony Award for his Broadway debut inThe Changing Room. The following decade, he made a splash on the big screen withThe World According to Garp,Terms of EndearmentandFootloose, among other major films.

On television, Lithgow played Dick Soloman on3rd Rock from the Sunfrom 1996 to 2001 and nabbed a total of three Emmys for his starring performance.

Lithgow only appeared as Shrek’s nemesis in the first film of the franchise (his character meets his unsavory end at the mouth of a dragon), but his career continued to flourish post-Farquaad. He returned to the stage for a 2002 theatrical adaptation ofSweet Smell of Success, winning another Tony and a place in the American Theater Hall of Fame.

In film, Lithgow went on to appear in features like the biopicKinsey, the 2014 space dramaInterstellar,Miss SloaneandTommy Lee Jones’The Homesman. Back on the small screen, Lithgow took home an Emmy for his role inDexterin 2009 and his portrayal ofWinston Churchillin season 1 ofThe Crown.

The actor has two children with his wife of four decades,Mary Yeager, and one son with his ex-wife, Jean Taynton.

06of 09

Julie Andrews as Queen

Julie Andrews at “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love” held at Avalon Hollywood on March 2, 2023; Shrek 2.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty, DreamWorks/courtesy Everett Collection

Queen Lillian rules over the kingdom of Far Far Away, so it’s only fitting that the actress voicing her would be Hollywood royalty.Julie Andrews' role inShrek 2,Shrek the ThirdandShrek Forever Afteradded to a long list of award-winning performances that began in the 1940s when she debuted on the British stage.

In 1964, she took home the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal ofMary Poppins, the soundtrack for which nabbed her a Grammy as well. Andrews has also claimed six Golden Globes, the second of which she won for her historic starring role inThe Sound of Musicin 1965.

She won her first Emmy in 1973 for her variety series,The Julie Andrews Hour, and she’s been nominated for three Tony Awards.

After voicing Fiona’s mother in theShrekfranchise, Andrews voiced Gru’s mom in the 2010 animationDespicable Me,then again in 2017 forDespicable Me 3and in the 2022 spinoffMinions: The Rise of Gru.

In 2018, Andrews lent her voice to a character inAquaman.Starting in 2020, she narrated the Netflix seriesBridgertonand the fantasy filmThe King’s Daughterin 2022.

Andrews hasthree daughtersfrom her marriages toTony WaltonandBlake Edwards.

07of 09John Cleese as KingJohn Cleese at the Animal Hero Awards 2018 held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London; Shrek 2.Ian West/PA Images via Getty, DreamWorks/courtesy Everett CollectionCo-founder of the Mighty Python comedy troupe,John Cleesevoices Fiona’s father, King Harold, in the second, third and fourthShrekfilms. In years prior, he was well known for his 1988 filmA Fish Called Wanda, which he wrote and starred in alongsideJamie Lee Curtis,Kevin KlineandMichael Palin.In 2001, Cleese featured in the firstHarry Potterfilm as Nearly Headless Nick.As theShrekfranchise ran, Cleese focused on comedy, taking his showJohn Cleese—His Life, Times and Current Medical Problemson tour in New Zealand in 2005 and then at universities in the United States. He continued to perform around the globe in 2009 and 2010 on his Alimony Tour and in 2013, on a tour titledJohn Cleese: Last Time to See Me Before I Die.Cleese adapted the French playMonsieur Chasse!to writeBang Bang!, which toured around America in 2018 and in the U.K. at the beginning of 2020.The actor has two children and married designer and former modelJennifer Wadein 2012.

07of 09

John Cleese as King

John Cleese at the Animal Hero Awards 2018 held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London; Shrek 2.Ian West/PA Images via Getty, DreamWorks/courtesy Everett Collection

Co-founder of the Mighty Python comedy troupe,John Cleesevoices Fiona’s father, King Harold, in the second, third and fourthShrekfilms. In years prior, he was well known for his 1988 filmA Fish Called Wanda, which he wrote and starred in alongsideJamie Lee Curtis,Kevin KlineandMichael Palin.

In 2001, Cleese featured in the firstHarry Potterfilm as Nearly Headless Nick.

As theShrekfranchise ran, Cleese focused on comedy, taking his showJohn Cleese—His Life, Times and Current Medical Problemson tour in New Zealand in 2005 and then at universities in the United States. He continued to perform around the globe in 2009 and 2010 on his Alimony Tour and in 2013, on a tour titledJohn Cleese: Last Time to See Me Before I Die.

Cleese adapted the French playMonsieur Chasse!to writeBang Bang!, which toured around America in 2018 and in the U.K. at the beginning of 2020.

The actor has two children and married designer and former modelJennifer Wadein 2012.

08of 09

Jennifer Saunders as Fairy Godmother

Jennifer Saunders, who rose to fame as a comic in the ’80s and ’90s, continued her voice acting career after her first major animated appearance inShrek 2. In the 2009 stop-motion flickCoraline, she was the protagonist’s eccentric neighbor April Spink.

In 2015, the British actress lent her voice to theMinionsmovie as the Queen, and she can be heard as the theatrical Miss Nana Noodleman inSingand its sequel,Sing 2.

The former manipulative Fairy Godmother also appeared in the 2022 mysteryDeath on theNile, which featured Dawn French,Kenneth BranaghandGal Gadot. Saunders has also been in several theatrical productions, including London productions ofBlithe SpiritandSister Act.

She is married to actor Ade Edmondson, with whom she has three children.

09of 09

Rupert Everett as Prince Charming

Rupert Everett attends ‘The Happy Prince’ Premiere on November 28, 2018; Shrek 2.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty, DreamWorks/courtesy Everett Collection

Decades before he appeared as Prince Charming inShrek 2andShrek the Third,Rupert Everettbroke into the entertainment industry with his role in the 1982 Oscar-winning short filmA Shocking Accident.

In the late ’90s and early aughts, he could be spotted playing the confidantes ofJulia Roberts' character inMy Best Friend’s WeddingandMadonna’s inThe Next Best Thing.

His acting career continued on the stage, as he featured in productions likePygmalionin 2010 and played Oscar Wilde in a 2012 revival ofThe Judas Kiss. In film, Everett shared the screen withEmily BluntandBill Nighyin the 2010 comedyWild Target.

In 2018, theShrekalumnus directed, produced and starred in a biographical drama based on the life of Oscar Wilde.

Hemarried his longtime partner, a Brazilian accountant named Henrique, in 2024.

source: people.com